Analysis of Rachel Held Evan’s Book “Inspired” Series: Table of Contents

A few days ago I finished our 9 part series critiquing Rachel Held Evans’ new book Inspired chapter by chapter. I appreciated Monergism.com has also shared this on their website here. Thanks to Alf C. for getting me started to review this book.

I thought I have a post to have it all in one place as a table of content for convenience of the readers:

40 Responses

Excellent review Jim. I don’t understand how someone who obviously has spent some time in the Scriptures, can then deliberately go about to mislead others, contrary to what the Scriptures indicate, even at a basic level of understanding. The liberties taken would have to indicate a total rejection and respect for the Scriptures and of course, God, it’s author. But then to actually use those same Scriptures to further one’s own agenda, displays a coldness that is indeed troubling. Deliberate disregard not only for one’s self but also others, for personal monetary gain and recognition. There are some who know no boundaries, have no draw the line limits, will go to any lengths to achieve their goals. That is cold. Grace and blessings.

I think you said it well Bruce. Evans is not just someone that merely doubt God’s Word, she’s deliberately taking the most extreme interpretation and even then doesn’t interact with the Word of God properly. I”m praying for her.

Yes I am resting today; not meeting with people (unless death and major sickness of course). Going to spend time with my wife teaching our daughters how to ride their bikes! Also I’m going to read for my own spiritual life and not for any of our Bible studies prep. Thanks for asking, and praise God you got to teach Sunday school, do you guys record them and have them online?

You’re welcome, I appreciate your support. Judging from the incredible popularity of Rachel Held Evans from social media and how many people tweeting good things about her book I think my post is going against the grain. But I’m thankful for those who have shared this series such as Monergism.com and many different brothers and sisters. Some battles are worth fighting for, including justification by faith alone and defense of that being attacked by Roman Catholicism.

Rachel was slowly weaned from the coma medication. Her seizures returned but at a reduced rate. There were periods of time where she didn’t have seizures at all. Rachel did not return to an alert state during this process. The hospital team worked to diagnose the primary cause of her seizures and proactively treated for some known possible causes for which diagnostics were not immediately available due to physical limitations.

Early Thursday morning, May 2, Rachel experienced sudden and extreme changes in her vitals. The team at the hospital discovered extensive swelling of her brain and took emergency action to stabilize her. The team worked until Friday afternoon to the best of their ability to save her. This swelling event caused severe damage and ultimately was not survivable.

Rachel died early Saturday morning, May 4, 2019.

This entire experience is surreal. I keep hoping it’s a nightmare from which I’ll awake. I feel like I’m telling someone else’s story. I cannot express how much the support means to me and our kids. To everyone who has prayed, called, texted, driven, flown, given of themselves physically and financially to help ease this burden: Thank you. We are privileged. Rachel’s presence in this world was a gift to us all and her work will long survive her.

Her funeral is this Saturday and starts at 2 p.m. Eastern time at First-Centenary United Methodist Church in Chattanooga, TN. It is sad she mocked the truth found in God’s Word during her life. I grieved reading her last book Inspired.

I tried to convince Rachel of the error of her her way’s about a year ago, but to no avail. Hearing of her death was a shock to me, but what is troubling is what her husband said; “Rachel’s presence in this world was a gift to us all and her work will long survive her.”
Peter answered what is now the question, Why did she encounter such “swift disaster”? “Among you also there will be false teachers who will struggle in pernicious heresies. They will go so far as to deny the Master Who acquired them for His own, thereby bring on themselves swift disaster. Their lustful ways will lure many away. Through them, the true way will be made subject to contempt” (2 Pt 2:1-2). This is further evidenced by what Paul said: “Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake.”
So pray,. “Pray that we may be delivered from confused and evil men” (2 Thes 3:2). Thanks